Singapore Expats

Is financial aid, grants, fee waivers, or scholarships practiced in the International Schools in Singapore?

The up-front costs to some schools are so intimidating. Seems like most of the school want all the fees and half of the year's tuition before school starts.

Not sure if I even want to broach the subject of financial aid or payment plans during a tour lest it goes against me and my child doesn't get offered a spot.

Private (incl. international) schools in Singapore cater for the rich and are (mostly) for-profit organisations. I doubt they'll give financial concessions to attract people not in their target group.
The public (government) schools are a much cheaper (and not necessarily worse) alternative that is open to you, too.

There are a couple of the schools (well, SAS - not sure about others) that offer financial aid to existing students if you have a change in circumstances and can't manage the tuition one year. And there are some other schools that offer a few scholarships to existing students. But as a new applicant, I don't think you'd qualify, doesn't hurt to ask though.

Unfortunately, the International Schools here were all built in the day when companies paid the bills for tuition...isn't the case anymore but they still charge as if it was. You can apply to local schools as the other post said, but that too is very difficult - as a foreigner you are dead last on the list for admissions. We tried that two years in a row and couldn't get a spot for primary school other than in one school way out by the airport. I've heard rumour it's easier at the religious - catholic and methodist schools - if you don't mind that.

Schooling for expats working here is a major problem in SP at the moment.

Should add...you can arrange to pay tuition in installments with many of the schools if need be.

UWC has a scholarship programme:

http://www.uwcsea.edu.sg/page.cfm?p=1283